By Irene Barajas, South County Correspondent for the Tillamook County Pioneer
The Nestucca Bobcats varsity basketball teams had an incredible day Saturday at District Playoffs in Vernonia.
The boys played first, playing against Claskanie to vie for 3rd seed at the state tournament and their hard work was rewarded with sweeping victory of 60 to 24. This will be the NHS boys team’s first time at state in 54 years! Their playoff game will be in Stanfield this coming Friday, February 27th, at 5:30pm.
Nestucca’s girls entered the district tournament as the league winners already. NHS fans were kept on the edges of their seats with the incredible energy of the well-matched game between the Ladycats and the Knappa Loggers.
It started with a tip-off that became a jump-ball, resulting in a second try at tip-off. The Ladycats scored 7 points before the Loggers made their first basket, and maintained the lead the entire game. At one point, the Loggers were only two points behind, but the Ladycats rallied and kept their #1 seed spot in the league with a final score of 52-47!
Show your Bobcat spirit and come cheer for the Ladycats’ state playoff game against Oakland at Nestucca High School on Saturday, February 28th, at 5pm.
NHS also earned several league awards:Junior Owen Love and freshman Carly Wisehart were awarded Honorable mentions.
Juniors Mason Vu, Piper Armstrong, and Autumn Rist, made Second Team.
Senior Taylor Knight, who earlier this season hit an amazing milestone of 1000+ points in her basketball career so far, swept the girls awards with First Team, Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year!
Mason Vu and Taylor Knight, and junior McKennah McDonald were each awarded All-Defensive Team players.
The Ladycats closed out their winning night with head coach Tevin Gianella being named Coach of the Year!
The Bobcat teams were supported by NHS’s small but mighty cheer squard, lead by Coach Kaili Jensen. The girls did a great job keeping the crowd pumped, ensuring the players were loudly encouraged all through both games.
Join our players, their families and friends this Friday in Stanfield and Saturday at home as they fight for their spots at state. Wear orange and black and get your voices and hands warmed up to cheer on these dedicated and talented students!
“We are the Bobcats, couldn’t be prouder! If you can’t hear us, we’ll yell a little louder!!”
: girls- Irene Barajas, boys- Julie Love, and photos sent by Sherry Hartford